as in raining
to fall as water in a continuous stream of drops from the clouds
the air mass was dry, as much of the moisture had precipitated out on the other side of the mountains
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of precipitating
David Brennan, ABC News, 3 Feb. 2026
When Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, Clegg was central to Meta’s decision to take a hard line against Moscow, precipitating an all-out ban on Facebook and Instagram in Russia.
—Bobby Ghosh, Time, 18 Jan. 2026
The quick pronouncement by administration officials before any meaningful investigation could be completed has raised concerns about the federal government’s determination to conduct a thorough review of the chain of events precipitating the shooting.
—Alanna Durkin Richer, Fortune, 14 Jan. 2026
The quick pronouncement by administration officials before any meaningful investigation could be completed has raised concerns about the federal government’s determination to conduct a thorough review of the chain of events precipitating the shooting.
—Alanna Durkin Richer, Twin Cities, 13 Jan. 2026
Researchers suggest combining it with evaporation, selective adsorbents, or lithium-precipitating chemicals.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 12 Dec. 2025
In 2007, Hamas violently seized control of Gaza, precipitating a split with the West Bank that continues to this day.
—Hussein Ibish, The Atlantic, 20 Aug. 2025
But annual revenue fell back to $104 million by 2022, and the company was unprofitable in the post-pandemic landscape, precipitating the bankruptcy filing.
—Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 20 Aug. 2025
The Haleiwa Hotel could not compete with the burgeoning tourism district of Waikiki, precipitating its demise.
—Paula Conway, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2025
Verb
This winter -- the fourth of Russia's full-scale invasion -- has seen Moscow intensively target Ukraine's energy infrastructure, wreaking havoc on the national grid and precipitating rolling and extended blackouts for millions of Ukrainians.
—David Brennan, ABC News, 3 Feb. 2026
When Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, Clegg was central to Meta’s decision to take a hard line against Moscow, precipitating an all-out ban on Facebook and Instagram in Russia.
—Bobby Ghosh, Time, 18 Jan. 2026
The quick pronouncement by administration officials before any meaningful investigation could be completed has raised concerns about the federal government’s determination to conduct a thorough review of the chain of events precipitating the shooting.
—Alanna Durkin Richer, Fortune, 14 Jan. 2026
The quick pronouncement by administration officials before any meaningful investigation could be completed has raised concerns about the federal government’s determination to conduct a thorough review of the chain of events precipitating the shooting.
—Alanna Durkin Richer, Twin Cities, 13 Jan. 2026
Researchers suggest combining it with evaporation, selective adsorbents, or lithium-precipitating chemicals.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 12 Dec. 2025
In 2007, Hamas violently seized control of Gaza, precipitating a split with the West Bank that continues to this day.
—Hussein Ibish, The Atlantic, 20 Aug. 2025
But annual revenue fell back to $104 million by 2022, and the company was unprofitable in the post-pandemic landscape, precipitating the bankruptcy filing.
—Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 20 Aug. 2025
The Haleiwa Hotel could not compete with the burgeoning tourism district of Waikiki, precipitating its demise.
—Paula Conway, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for precipitating
Adjective
-
Another round of rainy weather is coming to Southern California this week.—
Matthew Rodriguez,
CBS News,
9 Feb. 2026
-
But in the rainy winter and spring months, the park becomes a showcase for a diverse, colorful array of blossoms.—
Cu Fleshman,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
In Ukraine, besides sleet and snow, the daily forecast includes drones and missiles raining down on the war-weary populace.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
7 Feb. 2026
-
The conservancy's plan to shoot the deer from the air, using helicopters, was shut down in 2024 after residents voiced concerns of bullets raining down and rotting deer carcasses that would be left behind.—
Julie Sharp,
CBS News,
2 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Thanks to an exceptionally wet December, death cap mushrooms — or Amanita phalloides — have proliferated along the Central Coast and in Northern California.—
Kevinisha Walker,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Beyond Darwin’s collection, the approach could be applied across museums worldwide, offering a safer way to manage aging wet collections and preserve irreplaceable biological records.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Pledges are pouring in from philanthropists and corporate America, potentially expanding the program’s reach.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Following his 13-minute set, reviews began pouring in, with public figures utilizing social media to weigh in on the Grammy Award winner’s landmark performance.—
McKinley Franklin,
HollywoodReporter,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
This is the second time in three seasons that Duke has been on the other end of a court storming gone wrong.—
Brendan Marks,
New York Times,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Officials reviewed the play and determined time was left, so fans had to be cleared for Duke to get one final play before storming the court again when the clock officially hit zero.—
Aaron Beard,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
But a drone had hit one of its salons, shattering a heating pipe and flooding the premises.—
Tim Lister,
CNN Money,
8 Feb. 2026
-
The first tournament of the 41st annual Snow Polo World Cup kicks off later today, and over 26,000 visitors are flooding into the Swiss resort town—nearly all of whom are taking the second rule of polo to heart.—
Jessica Sulima,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Precipitating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/precipitating. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
